# Rye and bourbon -- Opinions on two brands **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** liquor-alcohol\ **Created:** [June 24, 2015, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rye-and-bourbon-opinions-on-two-brands/723388 "2015-06-24T20:01:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2016, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rye-and-bourbon-opinions-on-two-brands/723388/41 "2016-04-24T21:15:43Z")
> [@thelurkinghorror](#): > > How does alcohol tax work in Washington? For retail sales, the tax is 20.5%. Tax rates for on-premesis retailers is 13.7%. But yeah, for people just walking in and buying a bottle from the store, the tax is about a fifth the cost of a fifth. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![thelurkinghorror](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7c8e57/32.png) [@thelurkinghorror](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelurkinghorror)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2016, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rye-and-bourbon-opinions-on-two-brands/723388/42 "2016-04-25T07:12:53Z")
> [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > For retail sales, the tax is 20.5%. Tax rates for on-premesis retailers is 13.7%. But yeah, for people just walking in and buying a bottle from the store, the tax is about a fifth the cost of a fifth. 😛 Huh. In all the states I’ve done some drinking in (especially CA, NV, FL), in 95% of bars if the menu says $5, you’re getting 5 ones back if you give them $10. And grocery/liquor stores charge usually regular sales tax. Any alcohol taxes are opaque and included in the sticker price. I expect weird alcohol laws in some states, but the PNW is not my first thought. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rye-and-bourbon-opinions-on-two-brands/723388.md?page=2)